Acadian Museum and Annex Flood Mediation HURRICANE KATRINA EMERGENCY GRANT

FAIN: PC-50028-06

Acadian Heritage and Culture Foundation, Inc. (Erath, LA 70533-4003)
Warren A. Perrin (Project Director: April 2006 to October 2007)

The Acadian Heritage & Culture Foundation in Erath, Louisiana, preserves and displays collections that trace the history and culture of the Prairie/Bayou region of Louisiana. Collections of historical objects, clothing and homespun textiles, photographs and family papers, and art are used in exhibitions that illustrate Acadian culture and the contributions of Cajun and Creole traditions to American life. The museum estimates that 500 artifacts from its 2,120 item collection were severely damaged as a result of flooding that occurred after Hurricane Katrina. It was nearly a month before staff could get to the museum to assess the conditions and this was only with the help of the U.S. Marines, who provided the transportation to enter the flooded town of Erath. The first truckload of artifacts was removed from the museum at that time. Since then, the museum has continued to salvage collections and to dry and clean its two buildings to prevent continued mold growth and further damage to collections.